You be the judge: should my partner keep his ashtrays outside?

Rita wants Martin’s novelty ashtrays to stay in the garden. He likes to give them pride of place on the shelf. Whose argument is a smokescreen? You decide

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Martin says his novelty ashtrays are decor and will spoil in the rain, but ash in our home is gross

Martin, my partner of seven years, has a gross habit: he is a smoker. He was already a smoker when I met him, and although he’s gradually cut down – I even got him off cigarettes entirely a few years ago – he’s been unable to stay off them for long. He has now settled on around three to five menthol cigarettes a week, which I am happier with.

Of course, I’d prefer him to stop smoking entirely, but he has to quit on his own terms. During his first attempt, he started smoking again after his mum died, so I want to be respectful. At my request, Martin smokes in the garden of our flat.